We understand you meant to be kind in taking your pet
with you today, but you could be risking his or her life. On hot -- or
even warm -- sunny days, the inside of a car heats up very quickly. Dark
colored cars can become very hot inside, even on days that don't seem
too hot to take your dog along. On an 85-degree day, for example, even
with the windows slightly open, the temperature inside a car can climb
to 102 degrees in 10 minutes, to 120 in 30 minutes. On warmer days it
will go even higher. A dog's normal body temperature is 101.0 to 102.5
degrees Fahrenheit. A dog can withstand a body temperature of 107 to 108
degrees Fahrenheit for only a very short time before suffering
irreparable brain damage -- or even death. The inside temperature of the
car is too hot for anyone, especially your dog. If your dog is overcome
by heat exhaustion, immediately soak him or her down with water and take
to a veterinarian as soon as possible.

[Editor's Note: Enlarge the above, print, and keep with
you in your car in case you see a dog being left in a hot car. In an
emergency, seek immediate help from police or other official, if a dog
(or cat) is in distress in a hot car.]
submitted by LaZahn@aol.com

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